Arthur S. "Art" Bickford

Arthur S. "Art" Bickford, age 87, of Battle Creek, died on Thursday evening, March 22, 2007, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, surrounded by his loving family. Art was born on October 20, 1919 in Coldwater, MI and moved to Battle Creek from Detroit with his family in 1950. He was the son of Ray and Irene (Wood) Bickford and served his country as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II. Art retired 1995 from Michigan Livestock Company after 57 years of faithful service. He began his career in the Detroit Stockyards at the age of 17 and started the Battle Creek Stockyards in 1950 where he became manager for many years. He continued with Michigan Livestock Company in their photo cattle sales program until his retirement. Art was an Associate Broker for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Battle Creek and was instrumental in shaping its Bus Ministry. Art loved to dance, play bridge, travel with his wife, Dorothy, bowl a few lines, but his passion was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. On June 26, 1943, in Dothan, AL, Art was united in marriage to the former, Dorothy L. Carpenter and she survives. Also, surviving is his son: Kenneth B. (Pauline) Bickford of Battle Creek; his three grandchildren: Melissa T. "Missy" Eldridge of Battle Creek, Nathan T. Bickford of Orlando, FL and Melissa L. (Stephen) Zull of Battle Creek; six great grandchildren and his sister-in-law: Mildred Bickford of Novi, MI. Art was preceded in death by his parents, his brother: Bill Bickford and by his daughter: Candice Noel "Candy" Bickford on September 6, 2005. At the request of the family, friends may call on Monday, March 26th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home and at the Church on Tuesday, one hour prior to the service. The funeral service to celebrate Art's life will be held on Tuesday, March 27th, at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 114 E. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, with the Rev. William P. Myers, Jr., Pastor, officiating. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek. Memorial contributions in Art's honor may be made to the Church - Bickford Transportation Fund.